Sunday, June 14, 2009

THE MOON IS A HARSH MISTRESS



This is a link to the screenplay for Heinlein's - THE MOON IS A HARSH MISTRESS. by Tim Minear. It isn't as good as the book but what could be. It has little of the libertarian politics& like all films it is less complex than a book can be nonetheless most of the words are from the book & some stuff like the line marriage, which is pretty controversial even today, in some ways even moreso today, stays in. In the book Mike produces actual video pictures by computer graphic - an incredible concept back when Heinlein wrote it, indeed so incredible I think he was the first to think of it. The film does an interesting way of taking that to a level as improbable now as CGI was then.

And the ending does live up to Heinlein.

http://socalbrowncoats.com/images/moonfriday.pdf

What a pity this won't be produced but but if it was being we wouldn't get to read the script.

Perhaps some of Heinlein's juveniles or short stories could be converted to film without cutting because they are automatically less complex. I think Star Beast, Podkayne of Mars or the Menace from Earth would work. I have long thought Gentlemen be Seated would make a very good play - like Waiting for Godot but with more sense of purpose. On even numbered days my favourite Heinlein is Friday but though, the story & the character make James Bond look look second rate I doubt if film is a medium that would be able to do anything but eviscerate it.

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